IAN BUSBY, QMI Agency

Geoff Snider is such good friends with Devan Wray, he would give him the shirt off his back.

To prove his point, Snider did just that Thursday as the Calgary Roughnecks brought back one of their longtime veterans.

With defender Nolan Heavenor out for at least six weeks with a high-ankle sprain, the Riggers plucked Wray off

the Edmonton Rush practice roster.

In announcing the move at Roughnecks headquarters, Snider gave Wray back his No. 4 jersey — which he wore during a seven-year run that included two National Lacrosse League championships.

“He made a point when

I left to ask if he could wear it,” Wray said.

“I wasn’t going to hold him back. This is a nice gesture. For him to hand it back to me, it means a lot to me.”

When the Roughnecks acquired Snider from the Philadelphia Wings this off-season, he was excited to play with Wray after spending four seasons with his brother Taylor.

Soon after that move was made, the Riggers sent Wray to the Rush for a sixth-round draft pick.

Just before the season started, the Rush made some roster moves and put Wray on their practice roster, making him available when Heavenor was injured in the season-opening win over the Buffalo Bandits Saturday.

Wray, who was the main faceoff man with the Riggers for the past few seasons, actually attended that win at the Saddledome and found it strange watching his former team.

Snider and Wray have a friendship that goes back to junior lacrosse in Burnaby, B.C., and now Wray will serve as the backup faceoff man to the Calgary native.

“Devan is a first-class guy,” Snider said. “He’s like a brother to me. Him, Taylor and I are all tight.

“When Devan was traded, I was upset. Being a faceoff guy, I felt I pushed him out. Being one of my best friends, it would have been nice to see him at the rink and room with him on the road.

“We are going to have a great time because he’s one of my real good buddies.”

Snider will now switch to No. 22 after two games wearing No. 4.

Wray could debut Saturday against the Colorado Mammoth at the Saddledome as the team looks to improve on its 2-0 start.

“With the mix of players we have, it reminds me of my first year back in 2004,” Wray said.

“We had a bunch of young guys. Nobody really expected much of us then.

“I was on the other end of the spectrum as one of the younger guys.

“We’ve had success the first couple of games and I’m happy to be part of it.”